HADRON Chaos

Home > Science > HADRON Chaos > Page 17
HADRON Chaos Page 17

by Stephen Arseneault

The colonel replied, “General Daughtry was executed by the Kaachi for high treason shortly after we went through the wormhole. He attempted to take control of a ship to bring us home. We were told his attempt would have been detrimental to Earth’s defense and that King Stark authorized it. He was a good bloke.”

  Stark’s silhouette stood. “I authorized no such thing. Whatever you have been told by the Kaachi is untrue.”

  “Who are you?” asked the colonel.

  “That’s Malcom Stark,” said Mace. “He won’t show his face out of fear for his family, or so he says. I’d take what he says with a grain of salt as well. There’s usually motive behind what he wants you to believe, although in this instance he’s probably telling the truth. Anyway, get your people back to their ships. We’re coming in to bring you home.”

  Stark’s fleet, along with those of the Gorange and Dunden Heap, moved into the fight. Jasper’s ships, along with the Rogers, raced towards the Australians. As the forces clashed, the Australians moved their forces back to their ships and the Targarians opened a path for their retreat. As they came into free space, a wormhole portal was opened to Divinia. Stark and the others disengaged, leaving the Dellus and Kaachi to fend for themselves. Word from a scout came back telling of the destruction of Nineka.

  After a meeting with the Australians, they were sent back to Earth to be with their families. The ninety-six hundred who had survived several years of captivity would only have a few days before they would be called upon to defend their people. Their homecoming would be short-lived.

  Gnaga Klept stood on the bridge. “I must apologize for my people. Our leaders followed the Dellus. If you were not of their species, they viewed you as nothing more than an asset or liability, to be used or discarded. I believe your Australians were hidden away, trained for a future use where the Kaachi would put them into battle for some conquest. That conquest never came. Our leaders saw the Dellus as the embodiment of power and prestige. Our people will now suffer because of it.”

  Mace replied, “When all is said and done, we may all end up suffering for our choices. Better to believe in something that gives you hope than to have nothing but despair. And you don’t have to apologize for the decisions others have made. Just as I won’t be apologizing to anyone for what Stark has done… or will do.”

  Gnaga nodded. “As always, I thank you for your kindness. I know the galaxy would be a better place if the people on this ship were in command of her. For that reason, I have never attempted escape.”

  Mace patted Gnaga on the shoulder. “In order to escape you have to first be a captive. I don’t believe that’s been your case since very early on. Regardless, your actions have shown that no apologies are necessary.”

  Stark came over the comm. “The scouts report the Dellus are no more. The Karthians are now moving through the Kaachi colonies. They’re finding little to no resistance now that the fleets have been destroyed. We expect the next move to be toward the Mawga worlds. We’ve given warning and have several scout ships positioned nearby. If the Karthians do attack there, we’ll quickly ascertain the strength of the United Front.”

  “Has there been any sign of UF ships at Rhombia?”

  Stark shook his head. “Not as of yet. However, the Mawga took possession of a Muhatha with a full wormhole generator. We think it may be sitting in UF space waiting to make a transfer. Other than that speculation, we have count of a hundred and twelve cruisers in the Mawga fleet. They would only last minutes against that Karthian horde.”

  Fatso Geerok interrupted: “Have we found out how the Karthians are moving their ships? Do they have a single ship with a generator or a fleet of them?”

  Stark replied, “A single ship generates the wormhole to move that station. The remainder move through hundreds of smaller wormholes. Again, they must be using a tremendous amount of gatrellium to move that fleet around. Far beyond the stockpiles that we possess.”

  Jasper sighed. “You mean the stockpiles we used to possess. We’ll soon be down to the three mines in Targarian space, all of which are nearly depleted.”

  Mace asked, “How are our supplies here?”

  “We keep building those ships and we’ll be out in a year. And as you know, if we run out we will be stuck here with nothing but half light-speed to move us around. Communications between our colonies will be limited to light speed. Our comms, although instant, are only viable for a short distance.”

  “And the news just keeps getting better,” said Johnny.

  Mace sat in his command chair. “Any value in a jump to Hoorka space? Maybe they would have gatrellium to trade.”

  “They use it for their own ships,” said Gnaga. “I don’t see that as a possibility.”

  Mace sat rubbing his temples as an aide came to Stark’s side.

  Stark said, “Gentlemen, the Karthians are in the process of annihilating the Kaachi people. Their capital of Hathius has been all but destroyed. We have reports of freighters loaded down with people being incinerated as they try to reach space. The Karthians must be stopped.”

  Gnaga sat in a chair. “Will I be the last of the Kaachi?”

  Jasper said, “With every one of these kill-offs, we’re also losing valuable ship production.”

  Stark replied, “Perhaps you should have shared your technologies while you had the chance. Your ships fare much better than ours, and yet you won’t divulge your secrets.”

  Jasper scowled. “Yeah, well, secrets get stolen or traded. The Karthians, our cruel enemy, are only able to do what they do because they stole the technology from the battlefield where your people were too sloppy with its protection. And we see what the Mawga did with it—traded it like an old bicycle for protection from the Karthians. With our ships, if they become too damaged to fight and too damaged to run, we set off the self destruct. The crews of those ships may die in the process, but they protect the rest of us by preserving what little advantages we may have. So don’t come preaching to me about sharing when you don’t do it yourself.”

  Stark replied, “What technology do we have that you do not?”

  Jasper crossed his arms. “Your dome ships, the radica. I don’t recall you volunteering anything on those. And what did we just learn? You knew the Kaachi had the Australians. Did you tell us so we might try to do something about that? No. Was too embarrassing knowing you got played. You know, it’s a good thing you’re the king, ‘cause you ain’t much of a human being.”

  Mace stood. “This conversation isn’t leading anywhere good. Let’s keep focus on the prize and not on our past mistakes.”

  The comm was silent for several seconds before Stark replied: “You are of course correct. Mr. Collins, I apologize for my past transgressions. I can do nothing about those at this moment. Perhaps in the future, when this is over, I can make remedy. For now, however, we will just have to make do.”

  Chapter 18

  *

  Word soon came of the Karthian jump to the Mawga capital. As the ships took formation for their assault against the tiny Mawga fleet, a wormhole from the United Front opened and dreadnoughts streamed through, just over a hundred in all before the portal closed. The ships moved into a line, only a kilometer apart.

  Jasper said, “They stick that close and the green energy from that station is gonna rip into them. When those Karthian ships start moving they’ll only have five minutes before they’re within range. I hope they have more than that coming.”

  The modern UF dreadnoughts were styled much differently than the older military surplus vessels the Knuttin Corporation used for its fleet. They also differed from the boxy ships of the UF protection fleet at Canto. The dreadnoughts at Rhombia were long and tubular, like the barrel of a gun. The flat surface on the face of the ships gave no clue as to the power of the microwave cannon that sat behind it. Their bright red hulls shone brilliantly against the black void of space.

  Johnny said, “I sure hope those are as powerful as Mr. Knuttin claimed.”

  “I think w
e’re about to find out,” said Mace.

  Two hundred Karthian ships began to move forward. The UF dreadnoughts all fired at once. From each warship, a continuous blue beam stretched out toward the attacking ships, wobbling as their aim took shape as a slowly expanding spiral. The dreadnoughts began to move forward as they fired.

  “I don’t get it,” said Jasper.

  Gnaga replied, “The spirals of energy will continue to spread out, acting as a net to guide the Karthian ships to a desired location.”

  Jasper huffed. “And what happens at that location? They’re firing from too far away to be effective.”

  As predicted, the Karthians ships, while avoiding the incoming beams, moved into four confined areas. As they sped forward, four new wormholes opened in close proximity. Intense microwave beams emerged, striking the vessels one by one as they attempted to alter course. When struck, the destruction of each vessel was complete. The dozen cruisers that managed to dodge the short bursts coming from close by were forced into the incoming beams fired from the original ships. After less than a minute, all two hundred of the attackers had been destroyed.

  Johnny said, “We need to get us some of those.”

  Stark said, “They could have been ours if not for our stubbornness. We can only hope they will weaken that force further.”

  “No such luck,” said Humphrey. “That station is jumping.”

  Mace asked, “Do we know where to?”

  Humphrey shook his head. “From the distance of those scouts it’s hard to say. We do know it wasn’t to Targarian space.”

  Johnny replied, “Yeah, that’s pretty evident. Stark? You have spies with Gorange and Dunden Heap? Or Zinka?”

  Stark typed into his arm pad. “One moment… it seems the Zinka are the losers of this round. Just over nine hundred Karthian ships, and that massive station, are closing on the Zinka capital. Their fleet is moving out to engage. We should have visual coming any second.”

  A video feed of the battle space showed on the display wall. Beams of light and tiny flashes filled the screen. The occasional green wave of energy was followed by a bright flash.

  Jasper said, “I’d say they’re getting their asses kicked.”

  As the two sides moved together, the display filled with hundreds of explosions.

  Humphrey said, “Mr. Hardy, I’m detecting high levels of gamma radiation. It would appear the Zinka were able to set off those detonations in and around that Karthian fleet.”

  “Results?”

  “The feeds are coming from Mr. Stark’s scout ship. It needs to be closer for any determinations to be made. At the current distance we don’t have enough resolution to say.”

  Stark said, “The scouts are moving in.”

  Humphrey replied, “The sensors counted at least eighteen hundred nuclear blasts. Depending on the shielding of the Karthian ships, they may have caused significant damage, if only to the crews.”

  Stark’s scouts updated the data on the display.

  Humphrey said, “Trajectories coming in. Sir, a third of the ships in that field are now drifting in straight lines. That indicates to me that either their drives are offline or their crews are incapacitated.”

  “And the Zinka ships?” asked Mace.

  “I’m only showing eight ships identified as Zinka vessels that are making random moves.”

  Johnny winced. “Kamikazes. They sacrificed their entire fleet. Probably did the most damage possible. Their people are now gonna pay regardless.”

  “How many Karthian ships are still showing movement?”

  “Six hundred and twelve. Three more just joined those ranks.”

  Jasper said, “I thought they had shielding against those nukes?”

  “Could be that’s only on new ships,” said Mace. “How many nukes do you have ready?”

  Jasper replied, “Fifty-two, but I hoped to use those against that station. Would have to follow Stark’s radica ships in for that. Not sure if it will have much impact as the armor and shielding on that station is substantial compared to a cruiser. Detonating in close proximity might not yield any worthwhile results.”

  Stark said, “I can get your ships in close if we want to try.”

  Humphrey pushed a live feed to the display. “The Zinka fleet has been destroyed. Ships are moving on the planet. Their other twelve colonies have no defenses. The Zinka capital will be finished before the day is done.”

  Mace frowned. “I now have to wonder if they’re avoiding us because of these defenses.”

  Stark replied, “A sound strategy. If they take out those who are easily defeated, they take their ship production as well, and any future trading between them. It would be the strategy I would use. I expect the Gorange and the Dunden Heap to be next.”

  Johnny asked, “Why aren’t they taking captives to work in their mines from each of these worlds? Why just the Sarkesians?”

  Gnaga answered: “The Sarkesians are a sturdy lot. They are well suited to mining and other physical tasks. I suspect their mines are full. They have no need for more miners. Or any other laborers for that matter.”

  Johnny shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense. If you’ve beaten their fleets, why not put the people to producing or mining or whatever else you could have them do that enriches your kingdom? Those Zinka colonies all have value—make the Zinka extract the maximum from that value. They aren’t viewing the labor as an asset.”

  Geerok chimed in: “Could be their interests only lie with Humans. We saw that as a common theme in the Galactic Union. Why would the Karthians be any different? They’ve seen your abilities.”

  Johnny sighed. “Let’s hope that’s not the case. Although I guess being a slave would be one step up from being dead. A short step, but at least you might have the opportunity to fight for your freedom.”

  Jeff came onto the bridge. “Mr. Hardy, we think we’ve been able to recreate the wormhole weapon we have here on the Rogers.”

  Gnaga said, “You had a breakthrough?”

  Jeff nodded. “Just now. We’d like to be taken down to our lab at Yentis. We’ll be working on our prototype from there. If all goes well, we should have it up and running in as short as a few days. And we think it might be scale-able.”

  Mace gestured toward the doorway. “Go make it happen, Jeff. We may not have more than a few days.”

  Mace turned as Jeff left. “That weapon could be our salvation. It worked consistently during each of our recent fights.”

  “Punching pinholes isn’t highly effective,” said Jasper. “If it can be scaled up, won’t it use more gatrellium?”

  Mace nodded. “It would. But imagine punching a hole that was say… a couple meters wide? And all the way through. I’d give up a kilogram of gatrellium for each time we could do that. Would be a game changer. And if they can reproduce it, we can make more. We could push the Karthians back through that rift and keep them there.”

  Stark said, “And I suppose there would be no sharing of this weapon?”

  Mace laughed. “Not a chance. It’s bad enough that two new species have the wormhole generators in the first place. Either, if they so desire, can now move an entire fleet to any of our colonies without warning. If there was ever a time when Humans faced extinction, that time would be right now. This weapon could put us back in the game.”

  Jasper said, “I’m ordering resources to be diverted to assist in any way we can.”

  The scouts continued to monitor the Karthian fleet at the Zinka capital. Part of the fleet was dispersed to the other Zinka colonies to do their dirty deeds. Groups of ships were sent back to the rift. Speculation was that there were perhaps numerous crews yet injured by the Zinka nuclear assault. The powerful Karthian fleet had been reduced to only five hundred ships.

  Jasper said, “We’re now talking about numbers we could fight. If they jump to the Gorange or Dunden Heap worlds, we would have a force to match them.”

  Mace asked, “Would you commit microwave stations to such a ventur
e?”

  Jasper nodded. “I would. And as many as half of the roughly fifteen hundred stations we have.”

  Mace raised an eyebrow. “You do realize that station is still out there, right?”

  Jasper scowled. “That station is big and slow to move. Its range is also less than that of our microwave cannons. We could sit back and pick away at it if we wanted.”

  “Well then, why don’t we go now? Hit them at the Zinka capital while they’re regrouping.”

  “I’m thinking of doing just that. Stark? You in?”

  Malcom Stark’s silhouette tapped his fingertips together. “My only concern is that we risk diminishing our own force as well. Let’s say we manage to cut their remaining fleet in half and they turn and run back to the rift. What would be our cost? Half our own ships? If so, that is too high a price to pay. They will be sending more ships through that rift. They have them readily available. On the other hand, if we choose to hold back and they reinforce, are we then in an equally bad position?”

  Mace scowled as he shook his head. “You’re sounding cautious. What happened to that all-out fearlessness and confidence we used to see?”

  Stark sighed. “Our world was being run by another species. It’s easy to jump into a fire when you have little to nothing at risk. We have a free Earth. Every decision we make has an effect on our people. I’m merely thinking out loud here, hoping to pull benefit from your reactions. As you can see, I’m not getting the result I had hoped for.”

  Jeff came over the comm. “Mr. Hardy, I know you’ve been waiting on a result. I just wanted to let you know our first test was a failure. However, it did identify a few shortcomings with our initial design. We hope to have those corrected later today.”

  “You look terrible, Doc. When’s the last time you slept?”

  “I’ve managed a couple short catnaps,” said Jeff. “This work is too important for sleep, Mr. Hardy. If it functions as I believe it will, we’ll have a formidable weapon, something for which there may be no counter.”

  “Just don’t burn yourself out, Doc. Mistakes don’t help us either.”

 

‹ Prev